GB2235622A - Picnic rug - Google Patents

Abstract

A rug suitable for picnicking comprises a first layer of a water-resistant material (3), a second layer in the form of a fabric (1) superimposed on the first layer, and attachment means (5) for detachably securing these layers together along at least a major part of their common circumference. The rug may comprise a quilted layer of a cotton-backed wool blend fabric and a water-resistant layer of waxed cotton fabric, secured together around their edges by press-studs. <IMAGE>

Description

Picnic xg The present invention is a product primarily intended for use as a rug for use out-Df-doors but suitable also for use for other purposes.

The rug according to the invention comprises a first layer of a water-resistant material, a second layer in the form of a fabric superimposed upon said first layer, and attachment means for detachably securing the two layers together along at least a major part of their cor..Lv" circumference.

When used out-ofvdoors, the rug will normally be used with its first layer facing towards the ground. This first layer, which is of water-resistant material, will prevent moisture from danp ground penetrating the rug and wetting its upper surface. This layer may be of a continuous sheet of an impermeable material, for example an extruded synthetic polymeric material such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene, or preferably a fabric.Thus, for example, the layer may consist of a close woven fabric of a filamentary material which is inherently water-resistant such as nylon, or may be a fabric woven from a material which is not inherently water-resistant, the fabric having subsequently been coated or otherwise treated to render it water-resistant. Parmg such fabrics, a waxed cotton fabric is particularly preferred.

The second layer, which is in the form of a fabric, is not required to be water-resistant and indeed is preferably water-per=Eable. It is this layer which is most likely to be exposed in use and which is therefore preferably decorative.

This second layer may be of any suitable fabric, which may be a woven, knitted or "non-woven" fabric. Thus towelling or other pile fabrics are suitable for this purpose. Woven fabrics are particularly preferred, for example woven wool fabrics or fabrics comprising blends of wool with other fibres, for example acrylic fibres. In one preferred form of the rug according to the invention, the second layer is in the form of a woven wool or wool-blend fabric of relatively open weave, backed by a cotton or cotton-blend woven fabric of a relatively close weave, which imparts to this layer a treasure of structural stability greater than that of the woollen fabric alone.

This second layer of the rug may itself canprise two or more layers separated by a filling or cushioning material, in which case the fabrics forming the two layers are preferably close-wDven or fine knitted fabrics. Preferably such filling or cushioning materials are retained in place by quilting or other stitching.

The first and second layers of the rug acccrding to the present invention will normally be of the same shape, or substantially so, to allow them to be superimposed without overlap. The shape itself is a matter of choice and thus the layers may be circular, oyal, hexagonal or any other desired shape. However most usually the layers will be rectangular or square, especially rectangular. The two layers are designed to be secured together along at least a major part of their oonman circunference, for example along the two long sides of rectangular layers. It is particularly preferred that the layers be securable together by attachment means distributed along the whole of their ccoon circumference.

The attachment means for detachably securing the two layers together may take many different forms. In one preferred form, the layers are secured together by press-studs. Such press-studs are very preferably of a rust-proof material; for example they may be press-fit components of a resilient plastics material. In another form, the attachment means may comprise hook-and-pile fabrics in strip form, for example the product sold under the Registered Trade Mark VELCRO. In yet further forms of the rug according to the invention, the attachment means may be one or more zip fasteners, or tying tapes, or buttons and buttonholes, or eyelets to assist tying together of the layers.

As indicated above, the rug of the present invention is of particular value for use out-of-doors, for example for picnicking, especially upon a grass or other surf ace which may be somewhat damp, including a sandy beach. Because one of its surfaces is water-resistant, it may be used as a coverall if rain is unexpectedly encountered. of course it may also be used indoors as a rug and it may further serve as a blanket if desired.

The e rug may be provided with one or more carrying handles, preferably of a flexible material. Thus if the rug is to be carried in the form of a roll, a single handle may be sufficient.

However in one form of the rug, it may be folded over to serve as a bag, for example a beach-bag, in which case two such handles are preferably provided.

For whatever purpose the rug is used, it has the major advantage that the second layer may be detached from the first layer for regular or intermittent cleaning or washing. Thus, especially if that layer is of a decorative material, its appearance say be preserved throughout the life of the rug.

The rug also lends itself to the substitution of alternative decorative second layers, so that it may continue to be used while one such layer is being cleaned, or to enable such layers to be interchanged for aesthetic reasons.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates, by way of example only, one preferred embodiment of the rug according to the present invention, with its two layers separated.

The illustrated rug comprises a decorative top layer 1 and a water-resistant layer 2. The top layer is a quilted layer and comprises a woven fabric formed from a blend of wool and acrylic fibres and a close-wDven backing fabric of polyester and cotton, the space between being filled with a polyester filling and the two fabrics being bound together along their edges with a wool/acrylic binding tape 3. The water-resistant layer 2 is of a closeoven fabric, waxed to impart the desired resistance to penetration by moisture and folded along its edges at 4. The top layer 1 is a square of which the sides measure approximately 146 an. and the layer 2 is of the same shape but between 1 and 2 cm. larger.

Press-studs 5 are distributed along the edge of'the under surface (the backing fabric surface) of the layer 1 and operating press-studs 6 are disposed in corresponding positions ai the upper surface of the layer 2. Thus the layers 1 and 2 may be detachably secured together by means of the studs 5 and 6 to form the picnic rug. The layers may be detached from each other as desired to permit the decorative layer 1 to be cleaned.

Handles 7 are secured at matching positions on opposite edges of the water-resistant layer 2 and enable the rug to be folded over upon itself to form a compact bundle for carrying.

Press-studs 8 on the handles 7 allow the handles to be secured together for this purpose.

Claims (18)

1. A rug suitable for out-door use, which comprises a first layer of a water-resistant material, a second layer in the form of a fabric superimposed upon said first layer, and attachnent means for detachably securing the two layers together along at least a major part of their oommon circumference.

2. A rug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first layer is a continuous sheet of an impermeable material.

3. A rug as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first layer is an extruded synthetic polymeric material.

4. A rug as claimed in claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene.

5. A rug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first layer is a fabric.

6. A rug as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first layer is a close-woven fabric of a water-resistant filamentary material.

7. A rug as claimed in claim 6, wherein the filamentary material is nylon.

8. A rug as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first layer is a woven fabric which has been coated or otherwise treated to render it water-resistant.

9. A rug as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first layer is a waxed cotton fabric.

10. A rug as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second layer oomprises a woven fabric of wool or of a blend of wool with another fibre.

11. A rug as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second layer comprises a woven fabric of a wcol/acrylic fibre blend.

12. A rug as claimed in either of claims 10 and 11, wherein the woven fabric of said second layer is of relatively open weave and is backed by a cotton or cottonblend woven fabric of relatively close weave.

13. A rug as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second layer itself comprises two or more layers separated by a filling or cushioning material.

14. A rug as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second layers are rectangular and the attachment means are distributed along the whole of their common circumference.

15. A rug as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means comprise press-studs or strips of hsok-and pile fabrics.

16. A rug as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the attachment means comprise zip fasteners, tying tapes, buttons and buttonholes or eyelets.

17. A rug as claimed in any of the preceding claims, having one or more carrying handles.

18. A rug suitable for outdoor use, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in , the accompanying drawings.